Eccles RFC

Eccles 1s travelled to Bolton on Saturday, with Eccles choosing to defend for large periods of the first quarter either through kicking possession away or making unforced errors. This saw Bolton enjoy large chunks of possession with which they were very direct and clinical, turning it into points quickly, helped by some less than adequate defending from some of the Eccles players. Following the opening score for the hosts, Eccles had long periods with the ball but were unable to take advantage of this with play remaining in the middle of park, and the first quarter came to close with a second score for Bolton, converted in off the post.

The second quarter saw lots more of the same from a Bolton performance perspective however Eccles maintained better possession and started to move the ball from flank to flank making some good yards and for 10 minutes the ball did not leave the Bolton half, but still the try line evaded Eccles. Far worse than this they lost scrum half Josh Waring to a reoccurring shoulder injury and as the second quarter came to a close a Bolton break lead to a quick sequence of penalties and a third try.

Quarter 3 saw more difficulties for Eccles. Bolton scored immediately following the restart and after 5 minutes of play the Eccles defensive juggernaut James Cunningham had to leave the field with a deep cut to his forehead, caused from a class of heads in the tackle. Bolton themselves suffered a loss here as their number 7 remained motionless on the floor, and play was halted until the player could leave the field with what looked like possible concussion and a cut to his head. Once again decisions made inside Eccles own 22 gifted opportunities to Bolton. Two more scores from the men in red & white were unanswered by the blue & white hooped men. 

Quarter 4 started with the Eccles men challenging themselves to win the quarter some strong defending in their own red zone for a 10 minute period . Eccles turned the ball over and after a few phases of play a more noticeable sweeping attack from left to right saw Eccles move deep into Bolton territory only to spill the ball and reward the Bolton men with a line out within their 22 on the right. Eccles saw this as their opportunity and Will Parkinson patrolling the rear of the line out quickly sniffed out possession, spreading the ball to the left flank where familiar 1st team player Chris Fortune crossed the white wash to dot down.

In the end, a game of two very different styles of play with multiple errors and inaccurate plays from the visitors giving the abrasive and very accurate home team the win, with a flattering score line.

HIGHLIGHTS

Eccles 2’s welcomed Bolton on Saturday for a match full of ups and downs in pretty much every way. With so much happening keeping tabs on the particulars of the game almost proved impossible. The Eccles pack this week saw itself bolstered by big numbers and big players, both literally and metaphorically!

The Bolton pack benefited from a range of players of high quality and with game time under their belt but it came up against the grit and flair of a mish mash Eccles pack that, with a few tweaks going forward, will be able to take it to another level. 

Noticeable lapses in discipline marked the game with a Bolton yellow and Red and an Eccles yellow as the score ebbed and flowed. Two initial Bolton scores matched by a pack drive by Eccles and a well worked back line movement saw the scores at 21-14 with tries from Jimmy McG and Danny Mc. The lead lost by Eccles with a momentary lack in concentration allowing Bolton to actually walk in a penalty to go to 21-19.

The Bolton pack made some holes after HT and punched through twice to take their tally to 33 points on the board whilst Eccles slowly bought them back with another pack try after some proper mucky grafting in the middle of the park by Zak Brooker and Ryley Thornton.

With Jimmy McGuigan flawless conversion kicking and hard, precise tackles from all 15 on the pitch the game stayed planted at 28-33 for the final 20 as Eccles searched for an opening. Bolton countered the tiring Eccles pack with a sure fire try in the corner, only to be stopped by a phenomenal tackle by young Tallis Keeler, much to the cheers and applause of both clubs. From there on Eccles pushed into the 22 and had a last gasp penalty which was held up on the line by the Bolton pack.

The game saw a lot of players getting game time, all the lads bringing their usual flair and passion. Fitness cost Eccles in the end as the pack tired, but the lads can take a lot of heart from their efforts and a shout out to Tom Wilson, who showed you might be the smallest on the pitch but that doesn’t mean you can’t absolutely fly in to tackles and cut down 6ft plus brick houses of players for 60 minutes solid!  “Support the man” and get down to training boys. We’re getting there!

Report: Naithan Ariane

Match Photos: Ian Mancunian Media facebook.com/EcclesRFCPhotos